WHL THIS WEEK: October 3, 2013
Calgary, AB – The 2013-14 WHL regular season enters its first weekend of play in October with 21 games on the schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
AROUND THE RINKS…
In Kamloops, B.C., the Blazers will be lending their support to a Worthwhile Cause this weekend. On Saturday night, the Blazers host their annual Safeway Breast Cancer Night where they aim to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. On Sunday, the team will put on their runners and take part in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Fans can support the team by Donating Here.
In Lethbridge, AB, the Hurricanes will be helping out Canadian Blood Services with their new ‘Partners For Life’ program. The team also encourages fans to Join In.
In Medicine Hat, AB, the Tigers will be raffling off an autographed Darren Helm Detroit Red Wings Jersey at Friday’s contest versus the Seattle Thunderbirds. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds and the Tigers’ Education Fund.
In Prince Albert, SK, the Raiders will be looking to Drive Away Hunger at Friday’s contest versus the Edmonton Oil Kings. Volunteers from Farm Credit Canada will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items which will benefit the Prince Albert Food Bank.
In Regina, SK, the Pats will be looking for some Young Journalists to help cover the team this season. Pats’ fans between the ages of four and 12 can come down to the Northgate Mall on Saturday and audition to join the Pats Junior Reporter News Team.
In Swift Current, SK, the Broncos host the world’s most famous Pair Of Mice at Saturday’s contest versus the Prince Albert Raiders. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will make an appearance, and one lucky fan will win a trip to Disneyland.
In Victoria, B.C., the Royals celebrate the launch of Kids Month on Sunday when the Tri-City Americans come to town. Fans and their families are invited to lace up their skates and hit the ice with Royals players following the game to help ring in what will be a fun-filled month for kids at Royals’ home games during October.
WESTERN CANADA U-16 CHALLENGE CUP ANNOUNCED…
The four Western Provincial Hockey Associations – Hockey Alberta, BC Hockey, Hockey Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association – in partnership with the Western Hockey League (WHL) are pleased to announce that the 2013 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup will take place October 31 – November 3, 2013 at the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary, Alberta.
To read more, CLICK HERE
148 WHL GRADS ON NHL OPENING-NIGHT ROSTERS…
The Canadian Hockey League proudly announced today that 397 CHL graduates were listed on National Hockey League opening day rosters, including 148 from the WHL, representing over 55% of all players in the league to start the 2013-14 season.
To read more, CLICK HERE
FOUR WHL CLUBS MAKE BMO CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS…
The Prince Albert Raiders, Portland Winterhawks, Spokane Chiefs and Red Deer Rebels all find themselves in Week #2 of the BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings.
For more, CLICK HERE
KEY WEEKEND MATCH-UPS…
Portland Winterhawks @ Kelowna Rockets
Friday, October 4; Saturday, October 5
Myles Bell and the Kelowna Rockets go up against Nicolas Petan and the Portland Winterhawks on back-to-back nights in a meeting of two Western Conference contenders this weekend.
The Rockets are coming off a 6-3 victory over the Silvertips in Everett on Wednesday night to improve their record to 3-0-0-1 through four games this season. Last year’s B.C. Division champions, the Rockets are considered a strong contender to repeat as Division winners in early-season prognostication. Kelowna has surrendered just 10 goals in regulation play through its first four outings.
The Winterhawks skated to a 6-4 victory over the visiting Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday night to improve to 3-1-0-1 this season while also handing the Chiefs their first loss of the season. The reigning WHL champions, Portland’s dynamic offense has scored 30 goals through five games this season. Petan, the reigning WHL scoring co-champion, has netted five goals and 12 points already this season.
Last season, the Winterhawks and Rockets met up four times, with the Hawks taking three of those four meetings.
Edmonton Oil Kings @ Prince Albert Raiders
Friday, October 4
Josh Morrissey and the Prince Albert Raiders put their unbeaten record on the line as they host Mitch Moroz and the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday night.
The Raiders managed a 4-1 triumph over the visiting Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday night to improve to a perfect 5-0 on the season, and are the lone WHL Club without a loss. The Raiders have outscored their opposition 28-15 this season. Morrissey, the Raiders’ captain, signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets this week.
The Oil Kings, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, are coming off a 4-3 setback in Brandon to the Wheat Kings on Wednesday for their second loss in a row. Edmonton has put up back-to-back seasons with 50 or more wins. Moroz turned in an impressive performance on Wednesday in Brandon, scoring three goals in a 2:32 span in the second period of the contest.
The teams met up four times during the 2012-13 campaign, with the Raiders winning three times and losing once in overtime.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE – Oct. 4 – Oct. 6
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL LIVE ON DEMAND
Friday, Oct. 4
Vancouver @ Brandon; 7:30
Kootenay @ Calgary; 7:00
Tri-City @ Everett; 7:35
Victoria @ Kamloops; 7:00
Portland @ Kelowna; 7:05
Seattle @ Medicine Hat; 7:30
Red Deer @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
Edmonton @ Prince Albert; 7:00
Regina @ Swift Current; 7:00
Saturday, Oct. 5
Red Deer @ Brandon; 7:30
Spokane @ Everett; 7:05
Prince George @ Kamloops; 7:00
Portland @ Kelowna; 7:05
Calgary @ Kootenay; 7:00
Seattle @ Lethbridge; 7:00
Vancouver @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
Edmonton @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Prince Albert @ Swift Current; 7:00
Sunday, Oct. 6
Seattle @ Kootenay; 6:00
Saskatoon @ Regina; 6:00
Tri-City @ Victoria; 1:05
